Oasis v Radiohead

No Nonsense Noel Gallagher pronounced last week that Radiohead are boring. "No matter how much you sit there twiddling, going, 'We're all doomed,' at the end of the day people will always want to hear you play Creep; get over it, . . I never went to fucking university. I don't know what a paint brush is; I never went to art school." (The Guardian)

Yowling Thom Yorke: "i did. it taught me to respect other artists."

Well, Oscar Wilde and Whistler it is not.

What Yowling Thom Yorke should have said:-

"Noel was a roadie. He lifted bands’ amps and their drum kits for beer money. Then he thought, f*** this, I can lift their riffs and their tunes and make a fortune."

Noel is a refreshing fellow according to Spike:- Noel "has become a rare voice of reason on the British music scene. They are sad times indeed when otherwise unremarkable statements of common sense become worthy of note. Yet Gallagher’s tirades against the ridiculous and famous are soundbites of rationality in a pop culture dominated by the bien-pensant and self-regarding."

Noel is of course exerising the right of every free-born Briton - the right to take the piss.  In fact, it's not a right but a duty.  The average Brit would much rather thought to be an ignorant no-nothing than a pretentious wanker.  The sturdy plain speaker can always bludgeon the one who is trying to go a little higher, a little deeper.

However, there is this to be said for Noel.  My research on this matter amounts to owning Definitely Maybe and (What's the Story?) Morning Glory as well as OK Computer, which in the late 90's you could only avoid hearing if you were deaf. What I have found out is that driving along at full speed over the wide and quiet New Zealand roads cresting a hill above the sea then joining in with Liam Gallagher wailing So Sally can wait/She knows it's too late makes you think there’s a lot to be said for advanced industrial civilisation. Whereas OK Computer on the player while tootling round lanes in Fife is a downer. Is that track 3? No track 4. But it sounds just like track 3. And the track before that.

Another time when Noel has uttered something beyond shut up and pour us a beer was after the Blur/Oasis feud when Noel had said hard things of Blur and Damon Albarn that he was later a bit ashamed of.  In an interview he then said that the only thing that mattered was writing some classic songs and he had done that.  I was really taken by that and wrote a song in his honour.

Comments

[Ed Denton]

Haha that is so funny it is ridiculous! Noel Gallagher saying people only want to hear about Creep considering every Radiohead album has been more successful than the last, when Oasis are themselves a one hit "wonderwall" band and flopped after What's the story morning glory.

[Um...]

To the person above me, Be Here Now is the quickest selling album of ALL time. Defiantly Maybe is the biggest in British music history. Wonderwall is one of the fastest and biggest selling singles of all time. Now if you presented me with facts, like that about Radiohead, i wouldn't call you a pretentious, single minded cunt. But i just did.
See the thing is, i can put up with debates, even arguments, when someone tell the facts of the matter. But you just went ahead and told you're own personal view - like we all care?
So here's mine - the vast amount of people who 'like' radiohead only like Creep because they like cutting themselves.
Radiohead are themselves a one hit "creep" band and flopped after OK Computer.

So let me get paper cut on my arse while i wipe the shit away with Pablo Honey CD insert.

[ThaRebel]

Here's what i say... and it is my personal opinion: Both bands are great... however, when Noel spoke of thom yorke...since thom yorke learned respect at art school he should have let noel say what he had to say and kept quiet out of respect for a better band that made their real life tribulations manifested in their music. Oasis, will always be up there, and even though wonderwall is the mostly known - i think hits like "the importance of being idle," "stop crying your heart out," and "stay young" are a lot more meaningful and deserve to be hits. Anyway, i have passionate love for Oasis - as i do for Stereophonics, and since both bands are friendly to each other, they deserve to be respected by all including Thom York. Another thing, the only way to enjoy a radiohead concert is if your on shrooms, acid, or X. In an Oasis concert you can be fully sober.

[hmmm]

How can you even compare Oasis to Radiohead?

Radiohead have at least made an attempt to try different sounds etc and have pulled it off every time.

Whereas 'one trick pony' Oasis have pretty much taken one song formula and made 7 albums of the same old shit.

I am an Oasis fan but when it comes to comparing them Radiohead they dont even come close

[Amadeus]

OK Computer=a bigger, more important ablum than anything Oasis have ever even listened to by my estimate. Fuck them. They ARE a fairly crap band in as much as(someone said) they just used the same forumla for 7 albums.
And, if you can't tell the difference between tracks on OK Computer...you deserve to listen to Oasis.

[AG]

You can bang a girl to an oasis album

and you can kill yourself to a radiohead album

love both of them though

LOVE THEM

[monsieurmal]

to: the first posted comment (author of said comment)
You,sir, are a dickhead and a pretentious one at that. You're spewing bullshit about Radiohead being bigger than Oasis. Be here now is THE fastest ever selling album, and definitely maybe the fastest selling British debut album ever.
But maybe your beef is more with Noel Gallagher? Get over it... He's rude, probably nothing better than a bully, but who cares??
I have one more thing to say about radiohead: don't you think hat it sounds like thom yorke is singing in the bath?

[kurt]

record sales DO NOT solely determine quality.
if this was true The Backstreet Boys would be one of the top 25 music acts ever.

the big problem with Oasis is that they've rehashed the same thing over and over which was already nothing new. their second biggest problem is that they are cocks with swollen heads. how many times am i supposed to get excited over classic british rock rewritten?

creativity breeds praise. i hate making music analogies because it usually doesn't compare quite right but i feel all the huge Oasis fans would be the same people jumping off the bandwagon during Rubber Soul and Revolver. or maybe you just would've thought lots of Dark Side Of The Moon was a bunch of crazy noise bullshit.

[happee-joy-foo]

How can you talk about sales being the thing that judges? Kylie Minogue has sold tons, and she is toilet.

So Rosie Bell says it's better to drive around New Zealand listening to Oasis than is listening to Radiohead driving around Fife. No shit. I would rather listen to the sounds of kittens being slowly mangled (a bit like that oasis sound) than listen to anything in Fife.

Oasis are, by all means, pony. Radiohead, on the other hand, are absolute legends. They are STILL one of the (very very few) bands pushing the boundaries today.

Oasis are a one trick pony - and they even stole that trick from The Beatles. Hell, Noel Gallagher can barely come up with his own quotes, he constantly nicked lined off Tony Wilson (RIP - another legend).

At the end of the day, Oasis is music for...people who aren't really into music!

All my opinion of course. But the one question remains - who the hell is Rosie Bell??

[me]

i like alot of british music
stereophonics
kasabian

as well as OASIS and RADIOHEAD

Oasis is my favourite band, but radiohead is a close second. Both bands create great music, but they are very different. Listening to Oasis makes you feel invincible, while listening to radiohead makes you feel like you have just become aware of all the problems in the world. Oasis has attitude, esepcially the gallaghers, but that is what i like best about them. Both bands are great, but i still think i would rather sing "Supersonic", in a crowd of 100,000, than sing "creep" in that same crowd.

I have both OK Computer and Definitely Maybe. They are both great. But i would rather feel unstoppable, than depressed.

"Some might say" oasis wins this battle.

But i'm "lucky" because i like radiohead too.

[marco]

radiohead and oasis are not in the same league at all,radiohead have done four great albums The bends,OK computer,Kid A,In Rainbows.Oasis have done two good albums,Definitely Maybe,Be Here Now and they are over rated any way and the rest u dont ever here of at all.The ting i like about Radioheads albums are that they are all differant and u can never get bored by the third listen and it gets better all the time, with oasis they are just the same songs all the time just a differant album,and i think if oasis had drop the image of trying to be the second beatils as u see on there videos they would be in the same league as Radiohead by far.some of Radioheads vidoes are just amazeing they do make u think about things in life some might be a bit serious but we can live with that only one winner at the end of the day.

[hawk]

I agree with the above poster. Who gives a shit about what an arrogant, untalented 'musician' thinks about the best band in the world. Hell, next everyone will be comparing Miley fucking Cyrus to them, because they refused to talk to her at the grammys. Also, Kid A is about a million times better album than Oasis could ever dream about making; probably because Oasis will only ever dream about making the same generic music they've been making for 15 years.

[Lamar Namou]

I believe what he said is very unfortunate considering that Oasis seems to love The Beatles, much like myself, however, I highly disagree with their statement against Radiohead. Radiohead, in my opinion, is one of the few reasons I'm willing to give this generation's music a chance. Radiohead themselves HATE "Creep" and yet, they critique the one song that they dislike with a passion. I don't believe that Oasis's music is bad just because of this statement, however, I have lost a bit of respect for them because of the statement that they had made. Radiohead is indeed a talented band and they have created songs that are unique and creative. Here are a list of songs that I believe are wonderful.

Reckoner
Street Spirit (I jam this out)
Karma Police (Very well known)
Climbing Up Your Walls
Let Down
Black Star
Steps
Up On The Ladder
Pyramid Song
Up On The Ladder
Green Plastic Trees

Anyhow, my point is, they have created other songs that are quite amazing and I can't understand Oasis's reasoning. There are some songs by Radiohead I don't think are that great such as Videotape (Which I hate personally, and believe it's not one of their better songs) however, on an overall, they have done some outstanding work.

[Lamar Namou]

I believe what he said is very unfortunate considering that Oasis seems to love The Beatles, much like myself, however, I highly disagree with their statement against Radiohead. Radiohead, in my opinion, is one of the few reasons I'm willing to give this generation's music a chance. Radiohead themselves HATE "Creep" and yet, they critique the one song that they dislike with a passion. I don't believe that Oasis's music is bad just because of this statement, however, I have lost a bit of respect for them because of the statement that they had made. Radiohead is indeed a talented band and they have created songs that are unique and creative. Here are a list of songs that I believe are wonderful.

Reckoner
Street Spirit (I jam this out)
Karma Police (Very well known)
Climbing Up Your Walls
Let Down
Black Star
Steps
Up On The Ladder
Pyramid Song
Up On The Ladder
Green Plastic Trees

Anyhow, my point is, they have created other songs that are quite amazing and I can't understand Oasis's reasoning. There are some songs by Radiohead I don't think are that great such as Videotape (Which I hate personally, and believe it's not one of their better songs) however, on an overall, they have done some outstanding work.

[an amnesiac]

You can't compare these two bands, Oasis just rehash the same old tunes they've been churning out over and over again, I appreciate 'morning glory' for what it is, there's some great tracks on there, but that's where the line is drawn, they have nothing else of any quality whatsoever, in regards to Oasis' subsequent albums topping sales charts... errr couldn't that be because of the publics expectations that they will produce more hits of the same calibre (of which they did not) prompting the rapid sales? on the other hand Radiohead have a spectacular consistent catalogue of albums and as for the morons who consider them one hit wonders with Creep, OK Computer alone has at least 5 tracks which I consider superior to it:

Paranoid Android
Let Down
Karma Police
Electioneering
No Surprises

Songs which just scream out to be played over and over again. I like Wonderwall but after several listens thats the song which actually makes me want to cut my wrists. Radiohead were voted by other musicians some years back, second behind David Bowie in a BBC poll of most 'inspiring' musicians' Oasis were rightfully so not present. In short the 2 bands are complete opposites, Oasis seem content in plagiarising themselves again and again where Radiohead are constantly experimenting with their sound whilst still producing the goods. I don't get why even Radiohead fans here say that their music makes them feel depressed. They sing about depressing factors yeh, but they elevate those themes into the clouds to create a heavenly atmosphere, Let Down is a perfect example, so I can say in confidence I've never felt depressed because of listening to them. As fans we don't really have the right to extensively critique them because we're not professional musos but there's far more appreciation in the music industry for Radiohead over Oasis.
Even Bono, a mainstay in the music industry for decades has stated that Thom's singing has brought him to tears.
Here's an analogy for ya, Radiohead aren't very fond of their biggest hit Creep and it doesn't appear on many setlists so theyre confident on wowing audiences with other songs, where Wonderwall is an 'aboslute concert must for Oasis.
Kudos to Thom Yorke, his reply to wanka egotist Gallagher was incredibly brief but he managed to own the fuck out of him!
Besides how can a band be expected to continue making great music when theyre constantly feuding and fighting with each other??? I'm a purist Radiohead fan and proud of it. I own all their albums and appreciate how incredibly talented they are because they didn't decide just to rest on their laurels after Creep. People here have labelled everything post OK Computer as flop. Kid A? In Rainbows? These are huge, huge, HUGE successes, and Hail to the Thief along with Amnesiac are amazing albums as well. ffs why even bother mentioning OK Computer, The Bends can go it alone in making Oasis look like the imitators that they blatantly are. I just feel sorry for all people who think they are Oasis purists because such a think doesn't exist. You're just keeping Sally waiting for hits which will never be conceived.

[KasehSayang]

no need to argue...the feud between oasis and radiohead just a gimic to sell their albums so people can compare. Like you all trying to do right now. Oasis is for people who loved to be up in the sky while radiohead keep the people to stay live on earth.

[Bob Dole]

All I wanna say is Noel sings Don't Look Back in Anger not Liam...

[Quentin]

I'm french and my two favorites bands are Oasis and Radiohead. I can't say which one I prefer, but what I can say it's that Britishs are definitly the best.

Concerning Oasis, Noel wrote such greats songs as Champagne Supernova or All Around the World, probably better as a lot of Beatles' songs on some points. When I listen to Oasis I feel good, invincible, maybe it's a kind of positiv band. Noel is a great songwriter, and can make some singles that we keep in mind.

Concerning Radiohead, I think there are no words to descrive Thom Yorke and band power. They can create something new after every albums. Great musicians, and very open minded. When i listen to them, I feel less happy but more concerned about who we are, what we are doing. It's essential.

So no discussion, Oasis and Radiohead are not doing the same thing. Musically, Radiohead is much better than Oasis, can make songs (as Paranoid Android or Idioteque...) as Oasis has never made, and will never make...
Concerning Songs power, the fact that we keep in mind every day, Oasis is better.

Oasis is for me the best pop band after The Beatles, for what they represent.
Radiohead is for me the best band ever concerning musical skills (before Pink Floyd).

[Blowasis]

She's got a sister
God only know I've missed her
and on the palm of her hand's a blister
and I feeeel alright...

can't beat those lyrics...shits deep.

[Matty]

Sales has nothing to do with the quality of a band.. as people have mentioned above.

musically Radiohead are in a different class. And i believe that any true musician will agree that Radioheads music is far more superior to Oasis's, due to amazing experimentation and sheer quality. I'm not saying Oasis are bad, just no where near as good (musically)

I think Oasis is a band that people who dont really know much about music will love, as theyre songs are catchy, and easy to sing along to and have a good time. (mainstream)

but Radiohead for me are like no other band. They are the one band that mature my mind into realising what the world is really like. They make me think deeply about the problems in the world that people face. Their music is very dark at times, however, i never feel depressed listening to them, i feel grateful, i feel like i am a lucky person, and that i can make the world a better place. I can really connect to Radiohead and their amazing material. They fascinate me, and inspire me to want to become a great musician. They are true unique musicians, and other artists have and will back this up. Never before have i listened to music that truly moves me, and even sometimes reduces me to tears, but not depressing tears.. i cant describe the feeling i get when i hear their music.

My uncle killed himself a while back, it was horrible, and if you listen to the song 'Videotape', it is about a videotape that the singer is goin to leave behind for his family to explain why he killed himself, my uncle left a letter.. not the same i know, but similar. This song reminds me of him, it however doesnt make me feel sad, but it helps me understand the pain he must of been in mentally. It helps me celebrate his life, and respect him alot. This song for me, is my favorate of all time.

God bless radiohead

[THP22]

Thank You KasehSayang. The idiot that wrote this column has proven their credibility.

"......cresting a hill above the sea then joining in with Liam Gallagher wailing So Sally can wait/She knows it's too late makes you think....."

[Sean]

but ummmmmm if you were stupid enough to judge it on stuff like how many albums were sold....... I'm pretty sure you would also consider incredibly stupid stuff like how on the website: besteveralbums.com OK Computer is number 1 by far........ i know that really doesnt mean much but still........ The only reason Oasis is so high selling is because basically in a nutshell: "OMG!!! I (heart emoticon) THAT SONG: WONDERWALL ITS SO COOL! IM GOING TO BUY THAT ALBUM THEN SKIP TO THAT SONG SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES!!!!!!!! NOW I'M GOING TO GO WATCH THE HILLS!!!".... enough said... however i will go on. comparing Oasis to Radiohead is like comparing Mashmakhan to Pink Floyd, if you don't know who Mashmakhan is, thats exactly my point. In a few years they will only be remembered as "oh yeah i used to really like that song..... maybe i'll download it."

[FUCKOFF]

TO ALL YOU RADIOHEAD SUPER FANS.

For one second take your head from ur ass and think that there can be room for two great bands, and instead of talking shit bout Oasis, jerk off to "suicide white trash" Yorke's voice and stop the subjective comments. If you don't like Oasis because you like radiohead you are a stupid person, and if you don't like Oasis just because you don't like the members or because any other non musical reason, please refine your taste and come back when you toss all your "killers" and "yea yeahs albums". Cheers

[Matthew]

I love music, but Oasis got me into loads of quality bands and got me to play the guitar. Radiohead are brilliant also with a couple of great albums - The Bends is amazing, and incredibly talented blokes all of them.

But Radiohead, although deep and interesting, don't give you the euphoric feel that Oasis do. I personally want to hear Liam Gallagher belting 'we're gonna live forever!' rather than Thom Yorke moan about what a creep he is.

My favourite band for example is The Smiths. Deep, interesting - a bit like Radiohead, but they also have emotion. Radiohead lack any emotion at all - I mean, Thom Yorke cannot write a melody like Gallagher that's for sure. Also, Kid A onwards has turned them into the most self-obsessed pretentious band on the planet.

A lot of their work can be frustratingly dull. I would opt for Oasis (let's forget the awful Heathen Chemistry album) - they're more 'get off your arse and live'.

Anyway, the Radiohead die hards on this page have proven what they really are - snobs who look down on those less intelligent than themselves.

[00101]

every single one who thinks radioheads succes was based on "creep", should not even deserve to listen to them, radiohead does not like creep, they didnt wanted it to be such a succes, they wrote a song - my iron lung - which shows how they all think about Creep.
for the people who think Radiohead is for emo's, just shut the fuck up. they probably have never listened any other song then Creep by radiohead. Radiohead is the definition of music IMO. they dont create music for money or fame, they create music because they all love music. for anyone who doesnt agree with me, Fact: they practicully gave their 7th Album "In Rainbows" for free...
Radiohead puts lots of emotion in their music. I like some Oasis songs but they dont have such emotion in their songs like Radiohead. and oasis are cunts. Radiohead>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Oasis
Listen to songs like fake plastic trees, street spirit, no surprises, all i need etc etc
thats some good music. btw I dont care if Oasis is the fastest selling shit of UK but if "good" music is determined by how much records they have sold, then Lady Gaga would have been the best musician in the whole world.... no offense to Oasis, they make fun music, but its nothing compared to radiohead... period.